Arrive at Cochin International airport. After a traditional welcome by a local representative, transfer to hotel. Cochin, set along the spice coast of Malabar, offers a bewitching combination of gorgeous beaches, tranquil backwaters, historic monuments, Palaces and dramatic landscapes.

Cochin has a historical sea trade connection with the Middle East, Mediterranean and northern Europe; and its cosmopolitan past is reflected in the buildings and structures which represent different parts of the world – a blend of the old Portuguese, Dutch and British influences.

Cultural evening of Kathakali dance Performance: ‘Kathakali’ an important genre in the Indian classical dance form, is associated with storytelling form. The story in ‘Kathakali’ is communicated to audience through excellent footwork and impressive gestures of face and hands complimented with music and vocal performance.

5:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Watch the artistes prepare for the performance as they put on their elaborate makeup according to the established code involving painting their face and flamboyant costumes.

6:30 – 7:30pm : Watch the performance as ancient stories of Indian mythology come alive with a combination of dance, acting, graceful hand-facial movements (mudras) and traditional music.

This morning on a half day city guided tour, explore the old part of Fort Cochin area and Mattancherry. Visit the Dutch Palace, which was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin King in the 16th century, the St. Francis Church (the oldest European church in India), and Santa Cruz Basilica, built by Portuguese in the 16th century. Enjoy the Jewish Town with its old curio shops and the more than 400-year-old synagogue. Walk through the fish market and the famous Chinese fishing nets, believed to have been brought by traders from Kubla Khan’s court in China.

Note: Mattancherry Palace (closed on Fridays) and Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays & Saturdays).

After breakfast, drive away from the coastal plains to Munnar, located in the Western Ghats, approximately 1,600 meters above sea level. On your way, visit Thattekad Bird Sanctuary spread over 25 Sq kms. of forests, wetlands and rivers. More than 300 species of birds are found here and the list is ever growing as new birds are added every year.

A guided walk around the Sanctuary and you will come across dozens of species of birds.

After spending some time in bird Sanctuary, continue being driven to Munnar, a beautiful hill station which retains its colonial charm and is famous for its tea plantations. The town is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams Mudrapauzha, Naliathani and Kundala. With its rolling hills, sparkling waterfalls, tea plantations and picture-postcard hamlets, the area is perfect for some leisurely hiking enroute visit Cheyyappara & Valara waterfalls (cascading down 500ft in seven steps), Viewpoint etc.

Later, on your city tour visit Mattupetty, specialized dairy farm – Swiss cattle live stock project & sproll by the Kundala Tea Plantations to experience the tea leaves being picked by the local ladies, processed and packed and visit the lake nearby,

This evening, enjoy boating on Mattupetty Dam (on Direct payment basis) or enjoy a game of golf at the Kundala Golf Course, or just relax besides the Kundala Lake where the locals gather at the afternoons. Overnight at Munnar.

Wake upto the scenic beauty of wonderful waterfalls & hills with the low flying clouds.

Today, on your city tour visit Rajamala Sanctuary for glimpses of endangered mountain goat Nilgiri Tahr (enroute visit, picturesque Nyayamakad waterfalls (for a breathtaking waterfall here cascade down the hills from a height of 1600 meters and creates a foggy atmosphere) & Anai Mudi, the highest peak of South India. Picture the rare goats locking their thorns with each other roaming on a stretch of grassland or climbing the pinnacles of the undulating hills. The park also shelters macaques, langurs & Neelakurunji (a plant which blossoms every 12 years) and turns the entire landscape blue when it does.

Trek at the rolling hills, at the lush mountains of Pothamedu – offering an excellent view of tea, coffee and cardamom plantations.

Evening is at leisure, strolling at unending expanse of tea plantations – enchanting high ranges & exotic species of flora. Overnight at Munnar

In the morning, drive through beautiful and lush countryside across the top of the hills to Thekkady, a small town close to Periyar National Park, enroute visit Lockhart Gap another, one of Munnar’s star attractions. The point is known for its scenic winding trails through dense forests that lead to towering heights. Set amid the hills of Western Ghats, this site presents a picturesque view of green valleys and undulating terrains. The expansive evergreen tea estates, shrouded in mist, add endless charm to this place. 

A great place for adventure enthusiasts, Lockhart Gap is ideal for trekking and mountaineering. Continue being driven to the Spice Capital of India; Thekkady (Periyar), As the road winds through mountains, you will descend through a carpet of tea bushes, estates of tall rubber trees and gardens of coffee, cardamom and pepper. As you move ahead, smell the aroma of spices as it fills the pristine air as you cross the countryside to reach the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the premier reserves of Southern India and home of the wild elephant, the bison, antelopes, Langurs and sambars.

A Spice plantation tour in the afternoon: Spice gardens and plantations are abundant here and the tour is all about explaining the history, growth and development of wonder spices like, cardamom and pepper. Others crops include tea, coffee and vanilla. It is very exciting to see all these as most of the world have seen this only in the supermarket shelves as a packed product.

A cultural evening of Kalaripayattu (Martial Arts) show: Catch some live performances of the oldest martial arts form, a gift to the modern world and known as the mother of all martial arts. Kalarippayattu originated and was crafted in ancient south India, drawing inspiration from the raw power and sinuous strength of the majestic animal forms lion, tiger, elephant, wild boar, snake and crocodile. Enjoy this traditional Kerala martial art show for one hour and get awed by the gravity-defying stunts and the agility of the performers.

Leave from the serene village for sailing at the backwaters of Alleppey – a principal center for backwater cruises in Kerala. Board a traditional Kerala Houseboat, (locally known as ‘Kettuvalam), these enchanting boats have been decorated and made into comfortable cruise vessels.

While sailing down a maze of canals one sees, paddy fields, coconut palms, fisherman along the palm fringed backwaters, enjoying  simple life of the village people along your cruise route. Lunch and tea snacks will be provided in the boat.

Dining onboard is an experience in its self. Though based on the tradition of fish and vegetables, in keeping with the demands of a cosmopolitan clientele, the cuisine served aboard our houseboats features a far more sophisticated menu than a Kettuvalam. The ethnic meals are prepared on board by a personal cook and fish delicacies like white prawns, pearl spotted fish, crabs and mussels are the specialties.

The day ends with a special dinner hosted on the decks of the houseboat; the boat will be anchored in the lake for overnight stay.

Note: The Air – conditioned on board the houseboat runs from 21:00 hrs to 05:00 hrs only since this runs on a generator.

Morning after a leisurely breakfast at hotel, drive to Kochin Airport, to board your flight to your onward destination.